Discovered 19 yr old son, who lives at home with me and dad, gambles.  £2K over two months - he works full time.  Came to light last week.  Card is stopped through bank and registered as banned for year.  I am less naive than my partner; I understand my son can get round these deterrents! For example, tonight he phoned home and asked his dad to transfer him £100 from his own (sons) savings!  Dad went to do it!!!! No questions!  Only I was there and asked what he thought he was doing?! I thought it to be obvious such as asking, why the hell do you need £100 at 11pm in the pub when you’re out with two friends! I was thinking perhaps he was likely going to pay his friend to put a bet on? Dad and I ended up arguing.  Dad argued that son ‘just needs some money from his savings as he is out for a drink’.  I argued it was an in proportionate amount and quite obvious to me what the temptation would be.  Dad says as it’s his money (savings) and he has to give it him otherwise he’ll leave home and ‘it will be your fault’.  Dad ended up transferring £40 - he says - and stormed off to bed stonewalling me in the usual manner.  We’re only a week into this.  I want to leave but cannot even contemplate with my son clearly having this addiction.
A week in and we’re not on the same planet.  Son’s gambling weakness is sports and Dad has gone and booked a football match trip with him!  Is he mad or in denial?? I have registered with support - such as this - but he has not spoken to anyone as his father.  He seems to act that as he had sat with him earlier in the week and seen the card is locked then that’s it - job done! Â
Partner does not gamble but football is his obsession and therefore a constant conversation source in the house. Â I utterly dislike it and now despise it. Â What to do, thank you.Â
If someone wants to play with their own money - I don't see a problem with that. If a person earns his own money, supports himself, pays for his housing - then let him have fun as he wants.
But if he's not playing with his own money, then that's a problem. Why give money for gambling or drinking in a bar? Let him earn it and spend it. If there's anything left to spend after all his bills are paid.
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